The Berlin State Ballet has temporarily suspended the classic production of The Nutcracker due to allegedly "politically incorrect episodes." This was stated by the acting. artistic director of the troupe Christian Theobald.

“In the original version of the ballet, two children appear on stage wearing makeup that imitates dark skin. This is now called 'blackface' ... The same applies to the oriental dance with harem concubines and the soloist, whose body is covered with dark makeup. which can no longer be released on stage without explanation, "- Christiane Theobald told reporters. In her opinion, Chinese dance has also become a controversial element, in which dancers "move in small mincing steps." As Theobald explained, this was seen as a demonstration of stereotypes about the people of China.

Political correctness has become a sign of the times. Every day, there is a new story about someone who has not passed the exam in behavior.

For example, these days the Christian world celebrates Christmas. What's Christmas without a tree? This question, seemingly absolutely rhetorical, has recently acquired alarming urgency. The Christmas tree can offend non-Christians, say people who stand guard over political correctness. And they call to do without the main Christmas symbol. Even the word "Christmas" itself is already being withdrawn from circulation in some places. In the United States, for example, for some time now, Christmas has been called the "holiday season." And in Washington, next to the US Congress, with the onset of the first winter month, the "holiday tree" begins to shine with lights. That is how, paying tribute to political correctness, they call the giant Christmas tree installed near the Capitol building. For the same reasons during the Christmas ceremony instead of the phrase "Merry Christmas!" pronounced neutral "Happy Holidays!"

Attempts to celebrate Christmas according to Christian canons are carefully suppressed. There is a known case when the administration of the school of law at Indiana University decided to remove a decorated Christmas tree from the main building: several teachers and students said that it is a religious symbol and puts Christianity in an "exclusive" position. And in the state of Kansas, for the same reasons, Santa Claus was discharged from elementary school, who came to wish the kids a Merry Christmas.

There is also a rampant political correctness in Britain. On Christmas Eve, according to one survey, three-quarters of employers prohibited their employees from decorating their offices with traditional Christian symbols for fear of offending the feelings of adherents of other religions. "Employers themselves are skeptical or even openly dissatisfied with this political correctness," said Peter Don, managing director of the Peninsula law firm that commissioned the survey.

Christian zealots of political correctness in their "fear of trees" literally look holier than the Pope. Because most representatives of non-Christian confessions do not experience spiritual suffering at the sight of Christmas paraphernalia, on the contrary, they themselves willingly and with pleasure use it. Decorated Christmas trees are now shining with lights in Japanese cities, shopping centers, offices, hotels are decorated with them, and buying a cake for Christmas has taken on a shade of national tradition in Japan.

Political correctness has become a sign of the times. Every day, there is a new story about someone who did not pass an exam in behavior

For both the Western and Eastern worlds, Christmas is a cultural rather than a religious holiday. Sterilely religious only the orthodox want to see him, both from one side and from the other. For example, in Berlin's Kreuzberg district, inhabited mainly by Turks (they feel like hosts here, not guests), Germans are forbidden to celebrate Christmas. The district authorities motivate the ban by political correctness. Eid al-Adha can be celebrated in Kreuzberg, but Christmas cannot be.

The city hall of Danish Kokkedal was also banned from arranging Christmas festivities - under the pretext of lack of money. The offer of a local businessman to build the tree at his own expense was rejected. In the French city of Shotalin, the politically correct authorities replaced the traditional Christmas baptismal font, usually located in the central square, with a snowman that does not hurt anyone's religious feelings. In Vienna, Santa Claus fell victim to a different kind of political correctness - he was banned, sparing the child's psyche: boys and girls, they say, may think that Santa did not come because they behaved badly.

Anti-globalists are also attacking Christmas, seeing in it a symbol of the commercialization of everything and everyone. Considering Christmas to be a purely religious holiday, they chastely reject the so-called "Christmas madness", when people, tempted by discounts, storm stores, making unnecessary purchases and spending crazy money on.jpgts.

Even in moderation, however beneficial it may be, it is good to know when to stop. Political correctness as a kind of responsible self-censorship is undoubtedly a useful thing. But even in moderation, no matter how beneficial it may be, it would be good to know when to stop.

Christians celebrate Christmas on December 25th. In Russia, it is celebrated according to the Julian calendar - January 7th. But we have a Christmas tree and Santa Claus from the time of their "Sovietization" - symbols of the New Year, and nothing more.

Concluding my last column this year, I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year and Merry Christmas, and those who are especially politically correct - on the "holiday season".

bbabo.Net